Hi! I know this post is super old but I figured I'd try...so I think I need the embroidery arm too! I purchased the machine from a woman on Craigslist and it malfunctioned the FIRST time I used it at home. Worked fine when she demonstrated for me. Anyway I like embroidery and would really like to learn. I'm hoping one of you wonderful ladies (and possibly gentlemen) could be of assistance to me. All I want is to become a magnificent embroiderer... Thanks everyone!

use the _ figure, it won't show in your stitch out! Have fun Lisa

I use palette, but I have version 5.0. The shop I purchased my machine gave classes to train everyone on it. I think it works very well. I'm teaching my daughter to use it, she is much better at computers than this old lady so she is going right along with it.....

If you are new to sewing, I'd consider the dealer just as much as the brand. Does the same dealer sell both brands? Does the dealer offer classes? What kind of sewing do you want to do? (Garments, quilting, embroidery, home dec, other?) Do you have specific projects in mind that you want to complete? While the convenience of automatic threading is attractive, sooner or later you will need to know how to thread. When you have problems, threading is the first thing you check. (Kind of like being able to drive only an automatic). Are both machines sewing/embroidery machines? I don't own either, so can't offer an opinion, but both have good reputations